On this latest edition of Take 3 For Politics, reporters Bryan Denson and Jeff Mapes reflects on the legacy of former Oregon Gov. Vic Atiyeh, who died Sunday night at 91.

The even-tempered Republican led Oregon through one of the state's most trying economic times. During Atiyeh's two terms from 1979 to 1987, he guided Oregon through one of the worst economic periods in the state's history.

The Great Recession that hit Oregon in 2008 was not as bad as the financial disaster Oregon faced in the early 1980s. The timber industry, the state's main economic driver, crashed, leaving shuttered mills and empty storefronts around the state. The unemployment rate reached 12.1 percent in December 1982.

Atiyeh was a hands-on manager who dedicated the bulk of his time to the fine print of the state budget.

He favored short sleeves over fancy dress shirts and refused to believe that an Oregon governor needed an official residence, especially one with an upstairs ballroom. He sat down for weekly meetings with the press corps, even if he had nothing specific to announce. He also relished chatting it up with the public during daily half-hour open houses at the Capitol.

Atiyeh would smile when he talked about those meetings: "People would say: 'Are you really the governor?' I'd say: 'Yep.'"

Atiyeh died from kidney failure. Watch our Take 3 For Politics video and let us know what you think in the comments below.